BINI, 'Batang Quiapo,' and 'Call Me Mother' Helped Cut ABS-CBN’s Losses in 2025

ABS-CBN is still in the red, but its losses have narrowed thanks to growth in content revenues, stronger digital performance, and continued cost reductions.

The former broadcasting giant, which is now mainly a content and distribution company, reported a recurring net loss of P2.54 billion last year, which is P318 million lower than in 2024. This is on the back of P12.59 billion in revenues, which is five percent up year-on-year.

Advertising revenues rose by P421 million, supported by election-related spending and consistent viewership for hits such as Batang Quiapo, Incognito, Saving Grace, and TV Patrol. According to the company, these programs remain key drivers of audience engagement across the company’s partner platforms and digital channels.

Consumer revenues grew four percent to P5.46 billion from P5.24 billion a year earlier. The increase was supported by contributions from film, music, and live events. Among the biggest drivers was the international expansion of BINI, whose world tour covered 14 cities, including stops in North America, Europe, and the Middle East. The tour began with a sold-out show at the Philippine Arena. The girl group also made waves the past couple of weekends as they made their debut on the Coachella stage.

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ABS-CBN’s film business also contributed to revenue growth, with its Star Cinema producing the three highest-grossing Filipino films of the year: Call Me Mother; Meet, Greet and Bye; and My Love Will Make You Disappear. In streaming, Sosyal Climbers, its first original for Netflix, ranked among the top titles in the Philippines and entered the platform’s global top 10 for non-English films for two weeks.

Digital operations were the strongest-performing part of the segment. Direct-to-consumer revenues reached a record P1.03 billion while direct advertising sales rose 23 percent to P842 million from P685 million in 2024. The ABS-CBN Entertainment YouTube channel generated 12 billion views, maintaining its position as the leading entertainment channel in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.

Streaming platform iWant also posted growth after its relaunch in July. Local subscribers increased 19 percent year-on-year, supported by new original programs including MMK, Ghosting, and Love at First Spike. The platform also received recognition at the Global Entertainment Awards for its online campaign.

Meanwhile, news and international operations added to overall performance. Coverage of the 2025 national elections drew strong viewership, while TV Patrol continued to deliver consistent primetime audiences. ABS-CBN Global mounted 29 international events during the year, including anniversary shows for ASAP Natin ’To in Birmingham and Vancouver, with the latter drawing more than 13,000 attendees across two shows. Additional events in Melbourne, Stuttgart, Paris, Taiwan, and Vallejo attracted more than 50,000 first-time attendees. Viewership for The Filipino Channel (TFC) among seafarers and in multi-unit residences in the Middle East increased by around seven percent.

At the group level, ABS-CBN reported a recurring consolidated net loss improvement of P588 million, or 13 percent, compared to 2024. Including one-time items, reported net loss narrowed by 23 percent to P4.72 billion from P6.09 billion. Consolidated revenues declined nine percent to P15.85 billion, mainly due to a 39 percent drop in Cable TV and Broadband revenues to P3.27 billion.

Meanwhile, the company’s Cable TV and Broadband segment also showed improvement in profitability, with its recurring net loss narrowing 17 percent, or P270 million, to P1.34 billion. Including one-time items, the reported net loss fell 82 percent to P776 million, supported by P3.04 billion in cost reductions.

Across the organization, operating expenses decreased 18 percent, or P4.50 billion, reflecting lower general and administrative expenses and reduced employee costs.

ABS-CBN’s 2025 financial results come as its owner the Lopez family continues to be embroiled in an ongoing leadership crisis. The chairman and CEO of Lopez Inc, Federico Lopez, was voted out by a majority group led by his cousin Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III. The controversy is still being worked out, with listed unit First Philippine Holdings announcing on Monday that it would defer the holding of its 2026 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting that was previously scheduled for May 28, 2026 “until such time that the issues relating to the legal dispute between FPH Chairman and CEO Federico R. Lopez and Lopez Inc. are resolved.”